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Topic Review (Newest First)

10-16-2012 10:57 AM

John long

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedanbob

I just saw some trim strips like those in your original post - look here: Moldings
They are polished stainless steel - I think they have small studs on the backside.

Those look great and unlike aluminum will not be a problem to keep polished. I believe that is a great product though pricey.

John L

10-15-2012 10:51 PM

sedanbob

I just saw some trim strips like those in your original post - look here: Moldings
They are polished stainless steel - I think they have small studs on the backside.

10-15-2012 06:18 PM

Phaeton

I glued three pieces of 3/4" MDF together. I made a 2D templete and traced it. Cut as much as I could with a jig saw. Then I did the shaping with a 4" grinder with 36 grit. Dusty yes! Finished off with a DA. Since the MDF is glues together it gives you good reference lines to match them to each other.

10-15-2012 02:39 PM

440man

Those armrests look really good. What kind of tools, methods etc. did you use to shape'em? I've done a couple with 2x4's just using a bandsaw and sanders etc. but the compound curves is what I have trouble with especially dulicating one to make a pair.

10-14-2012 01:50 PM

John long

Well, just realized I missed the bottom of CRSweet91's post where he said basically the same thing. Sorry guys.

John L

10-14-2012 01:17 PM

John long

If you bring a stout tab out from the inner door in a horizontal plane you can design the arm rest so 2 screws will go down into the tab through the bottom of the finger pulls of the arm rest. That way both the vertical weight of your arm as well as the force exerted by closing the door is transferred to the inner door, not the door panel and armrest. Hope this helps.

John L

10-14-2012 11:21 AM

crsweet91

Only thing with mdf is Ive had problems tearing it up with mounting screws because it can be soft. And then when you start pulling on the armrest it rips the mdf apart even more. So Id make sure your screwing into plenty of meat on the armrest to avoid that. Or make them out of a different material other than mdf.

Door pull cups screwed directly into an L bracket might help take a lot of pressure off the armrests. Youve already cut out your pulls on the armrests though so that might not work. Just throwing out some ideas.

10-14-2012 08:27 AM

Phaeton

That is my concern. Didn't know if you guys used au-ve-co clips behind the armrests to help when you pull the rest to close the door. That is why I was thinking of the L bracket so the rest could be pulled on and not detach the panel from the door. I could be over thinking this though. On a side note I will lighten the arm rests up by drilling holes in the back.

10-14-2012 08:12 AM

DanTwoLakes

Quote:

Originally Posted by crsweet91

Armrests look great. I like screwing them on from the backside of the panel with no glue or anything. That way if they need to be repaired they can come off easy.

Remember that some people use the armrest to close the door, and a lot of people aren't very gentle when they do it. The large armrests need to have more support.

10-13-2012 08:11 PM

crsweet91

Theres a guy on the Lateral-g forum thats doing inlay style trunk panels for his camaro. I think hes doing them out of MDF. Theres really no wrong or right way to do it. Just depends on what type of ideas you have and what look your going for.

I like layering thinner pieces of wood to create designs instead of using straight foam, it will give you harder edges compared to making designs out of only foam.

10-13-2012 11:07 AM

DanTwoLakes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaeton

67 Chevelle

"................. what about the door panels and trunk. Want to do inlay designs."

The door panels and trunk can be any thickness and any design you can dream up. Different thicknesses together can really make the panels and trunk a show stopper. Experiment with mock-ups and see what appeals to you.

10-13-2012 09:35 AM

crsweet91

Armrests look great. I like screwing them on from the backside of the panel with no glue or anything. That way if they need to be repaired they can come off easy.

I use 1/8" landau for everything. If you cover the armrests in foam I would make sure to block sand the foam with some 80 grit. From my experience even the thin 1/8" foam will really soften the edges and change the look of the armrests.

Yes 1/8" for armrests but what about the door panels and trunk. Want to do inlay designs.

No hard headliner for me. Not willing to take on that task also my friends 37 has one and it squeaks where the material touches the other material. I love the look though.

As always thank you Dan and others for your help.

10-13-2012 08:30 AM

DanTwoLakes

1/8" landau foam would be fine for your armrests. Landau foam is really hard, so a little thickness goes a long way. Some older cars had "L" shaped pieces of metal on them too, and that would be my choice 'cuz I hate to see screws showing. You could also glue them on and add screws coming from the back of the door panels. You could also screw them on from the outside after countersinking some holes in the armrests.

What make, model and year car are you doing? As far as the headliner, what do you want to do? Your opinion is the only one that matters. Would the headliner out of the matching vinyl be a "hard" headliner?

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